Cover and dock for mobile electronic device

Abstract

A mounting system for a mobile electronic device includes a cover and an apparatus for mounting the mobile electronic device received within the cover. The cover includes a first main surface with one or more latching points. The apparatus includes a base having a mounting surface including one or more latches and a docking surface projecting from and fixedly coupled to the mounting surface. The docking connector is coupled to the docking surface and is configured to electrically connect with electrical contacts of the cover. When the docking connector is electrically connected with the electrical contacts, the first main surface is positioned obliquely relative to the mounting surface in a first position of the docking connector, and the first main surface is aligned in contact with the mounting surface in the second position of the docking connector, so one or more latches mate with the one or more latching points.

1 . A mounting system for a mobile electronic device comprising:
 a cover configured to house the mobile electronic device, the cover comprising
 a first main surface comprising one or more latching points; 
 one or more peripheral side surfaces at least partially surrounding the first main surface; 
 at least one electrical connector configured to connect with an electrical connector of the mobile electronic device; and 
 one or more electrical contacts mounted on at least one of the one or more peripheral side surfaces, the one or more electrical contacts in communication with the at least one electrical connector; and 
   an apparatus for mounting the mobile electronic device received within the cover, the apparatus comprising:
 a base comprising a mounting surface configured to face the first main surface and a docking surface projecting from and fixedly coupled to the mounting surface, the mounting surface comprising one or more latches configured to mate with the one or more latching points, the docking surface configured to face the at least one of the one or more peripheral side surfaces of the cover; 
 a docking connector coupled to the docking surface, the docking connector configured to electrically connect with the one or more electrical contacts of the cover, the docking connector movable relative to the docking surface between a first position and a second position; 
 wherein when the docking connector is electrically connected with the one or more electrical contacts, the first main surface of the cover is positioned obliquely relative to the mounting surface in the first position of the docking connector, and the first main surface of the cover is aligned in contact with the mounting surface in the second position of the docking connector, such that the one or more latches mate with the one or more latching points. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises one or more biasing elements in order to bias the docking connector toward the first position. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector is mounted on a docking platform, the docking platform being pivotable relative to the docking surface to move the docking connector between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting system of  claim 3 , wherein the docking platform further includes a stop surface positioned to engage a portion of the docking surface when the docking connector is in the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one actuator configured to disengage the one or more latches from the one or more latching points. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting system of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator comprises a handle movably coupled to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The mounting system of  claim 6 , further comprising a lock configured to restrict actuation of the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the first main surface of the cover comprises at least one electrical receptacle separate from the one or more electrical contacts. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one electrical receptacle is in communication with the at least one electrical connector. 
     
     
         10 . The mounting system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one electrical receptacle is mounted on a common circuit board with the one or more electrical contacts. 
     
     
         11 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more electrical contacts comprise one or more rows of pogo pads formed on the at least one of the one or more peripheral side surfaces. 
     
     
         12 . The mounting system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more rows of pogo pads are positioned flush with the at least one of the one or more peripheral side surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the first main surface of the cover comprises a stand in order to maintain the mobile electronic device in an upright or tilted position. 
     
     
         14 . The mounting system of  claim 13 , wherein the stand is configured to be stowed against the first main surface to enable mounting of the cover to the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of bumpers positioned at respective corners of the one or more peripheral side surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The mounting system of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of the plurality of bumpers comprises an attachment point for attaching one or more accessories to the cover.